Once known primarily as a picturesque coastal city, Aveiro is now stepping confidently onto the international stage as one of the country’s most promising tech and startup hubs. And at the heart of this emergence is a key driver: the University of Aveiro.

This week’s FutureXPO event, held in the city, offered a powerful showcase of what is happening here. With over four hundred participants, including 75 Portuguese and 50 Brazilian startups, as well as investors and ecosystem builders. The atmosphere was one of optimism, international collaboration, and real opportunity. It reinforced something I have observed over time: Aveiro is no longer just part of the conversation; it is more than that; it is helping lead it.

The success of Aveiro in positioning itself as an innovation hub is not by accident. It is the result of sustained investment, long-term vision, and the strategic involvement of institutions like the University of Aveiro, which has played a leading role in creating a tech-friendly, research-rich, and entrepreneur-ready environment.

Through its partnerships with the municipality and initiatives like the Science and Technology Park, the university has helped turn the city into a magnet for talent and innovation. It provides not just academic excellence but a bridge between research, business, and application, creating fertile ground for startups to grow and scale.

One of the most exciting developments recently has been the arrival of Startupbootcamp in Aveiro, which is one of Europe’s leading accelerators, now with a permanent base in the city. Their presence is already driving momentum, and their ambition is clear: to use Aveiro as a strategic gateway between Europe and Latin America, especially Brazil. This marks a significant milestone not just for Aveiro but for Portugal’s position in the global startup map.

But while the local energy is undeniable, we must not let this be an isolated success story. As someone who follows the Portuguese tech and innovation landscape daily, I believe it is crucial to ensure that initiatives like this receive ongoing support from both the public and private sectors. Aveiro shows what’s possible when talent, education, and opportunity align. Now, we need to scale this model.

We also need to ensure that regions like Aveiro have the infrastructure and policy support to match their ambition. That includes smart real estate development, affordable and flexible housing for digital professionals, co-working spaces, and better transport links. It also means fiscal and regulatory incentives to attract and retain startups, especially those with international founders who may consider Portugal their gateway to Europe.

There is also an important lesson here for other Portuguese cities: You do not need to be a capital city to lead innovation. Aveiro is proving that with the right conditions and strong university partnerships, support from local government, and openness to global collaboration. Regional hubs can play a key role in the national strategy for tech and entrepreneurship.

Events like FutureXPO show that Portugal is being noticed. But that is not enough because maintaining that attention takes consistency. We must continue to nurture our universities, invest in their ecosystems, and promote regional strengths rather than centralize everything in Lisbon. Diversity across cities is one of Portugal’s greatest assets.

The story of Aveiro and its university is an example of how innovation really works: through collaboration, long-term vision, and the courage to think globally while acting locally.

We need to amplify this success, support it, and learn from it! Because what is happening in Aveiro is not simply good for the city. It is essential and good for Portugal.

Author

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.

Paulo Lopes